Morning
Walking tour of Old Town Edinburgh and the Royal Mile, and a visit to the Faculty of Advocates. 
 CLE: Devils & Advocates: Introduction to the Scottish Legal System. Located on the Royal Mile are some of Scotland's most important legal institutions: The Supreme Civil Court of Scotland, the Court of Session, The old Parliament House, and the Faculty of Advocates. We take a break from our walking tour to learn about the Scottish legal system, how the system operates under UK law, and a brief history of the various types of courts and judges. Court calendars permitting, we visit the Court of Session and High Court of Justiciary.  

Lunch along the Royal Mile. 

Lawmaking, the Scottish Parliament, and the Legislative Process. After lunch, we enjoy a tour of the Scottish Parliament. In addition to learning about the history and architecture of this unique building, we learn about Scotland’s political system, the balance between state autonomy with the United Kingdom and Westminster, and Scotland’s views on Brexit. As part of our visit, we have the chance to visit the Debating Chamber or a Committee Meeting to see how lawmaking happens first hand, how the legislative bodies pass laws, and how the courts may interpret them. 

After our visit to the Scottish Parliament, we enjoy Edinburgh’s finest Afternoon Tea at the Signet Library. Legacy Tartans, Commodification of Culture, and the Scottish Registry

During Afternoon Tea, we are joined by experts for a discussion on Tartan designs and their intellectual property rights. 

Following our Afternoon tea, you may return to the hotel with the group walking downhill back to New Town, or enjoy additional free time in Old Town Edinburgh.  

 The remainder of the evening is free.    

Morning: After breakfast, meet in the hotel lobby and depart for our private, pre-opening tour of Edinburgh Castle.  Mid-morning we depart for our visit with Lord Bruce at Broomhall. This extraordinary home is one of Scotland’s grandest houses and for more than 300 years has been lived in, cherished and cared for by the family of King Robert the Bruce - a name linked to valor and legend throughout Scottish history. 

We will be welcomed by Lord Bruce who will share stories of his family history, including an extensive collection of historic memorabilia and artwork.

Return to Edinburgh/hotel. On the last full day in Edinburgh, enjoy as much free time as desired.  Lunch is on your own today.

Evening

Meet in the hotel lobby and depart for our private Dinner inside the Pip Hills Room at The Scotch Malt Whisky Society. At dinner we will be joined by Claire Mitchell KC and Zoe Venditozzi, founders of the Witches of Scotland campaign. 

WITCHES OF SCOTLAND Lessons from the 1563 Witchcraft Act 

In 1563 the Witchcraft Act was brought into law in Scotland and remained in law till 1736. The vast majority of those accused and prosecuted were women. During this time witchcraft was a capital crime and those convicted of witchcraft were strangled to death and then burned at the stake so as to leave no body to bury. The Witches of Scotland is a campaign for justice: for legal pardons,  an official apology, and a national monument for the thousands of people – mostly women -  that were convicted of witchcraft and executed between 1563 and 1736 in Scotland. In a statement made on International Women’s Day 2022,  part of the campaign’s mission was achieved when First Minister Nicola Sturgeon issued an official apology on behalf of the Scottish government.

This morning, we depart for Scotland’s second city and cultural hub – Glasgow  (Approx. 1 hour drive). On arrival, we meet our local guide for a walking tour of Glasgow's city century including street art and large murals coloring what is otherwise a gray and industrial cityscape.

1:00pm

Group Afternoon Tea at Mackintosh at the Willow. This A-listed building was designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh and is his last surviving tea room, originally opened in 1903. 

TBD: During tea we are joined by guest speaker Prof. Stephen Bogle, author of the book Contract Before The Enlightenment: The Ideas of James Dalrymple, Viscount Stair 1619-1695. 

Before leaving town, we visit the impressive Glasgow Cathedral. 

3:30pm 

Return to Edinburgh. Remainder of Evening Free. 

Today we travel to the bucolic St. Andrews (Approx. 1 hour drive), a historic medieval town known for its many golf courses including the Old Course, considered the world’s oldest. In St. Andrews we see the ruins of St Andrews Cathedral and the immaculate University of St Andrews founded in 1413.  

Free time will be given in town for independent lunch and shopping.

While in St. Andrews, some may wish to visit the World Golf Museum or walk across the 18th hole of the Old Course for a photo opportunity at the iconic Swilcan Bridge - originally built over 700 years ago so shepherds could move their flock across the bridge which meanders through what is now the 1st and 18th fairways.  

Time permitting, return to Edinburgh via the Fife Coastal Path. Along this stretch of picturesque coastline we see a series of charming, old-fashioned fishing villages.

Return to Edinburgh. Dinner on your own.

Today we depart for a day tour of an underappreciated area known as “the Scottish Borders,” the towns of Selkirk and Melrose, in southern Scotland near its land border with England.  

 First we see Melrose Abbey, the medieval ruins of a Cistercian monastery and burial place of Robert the Bruce’s heart OR Abbotsford, the home of Sir Walter Scott and baronial mansion. A breathtaking place to visit located on the banks of the River Tweed.

Group Lunch and traditional Ale Pies at the Traquair House, the oldest continually inhabited house in Scotland and home to the ancient Traquair Brewery. 

At lunch we are greeted by the esteemed Human Rights attorney, Mark Muller Stuart. 

After lunch, we tour the Traquair House and enjoy an Ale Tasting with Catherine Maxwell Stuart, 21st Lady of Traquair and famed Scottish politician, hotelier, brewer, and writer. She is the first female Laird of Traquair and, at the time she succeeded her father in 1990, she was the only female laird in Scotland.  

Before departing Traquair, we hope to be addressed by Catherine Maxwell Stuart’s husband, the esteemed Human Rights attorney, Mark Muller Stuart.

After our tour we return to Edinburgh. 

Remainder of the evening free. Dinner on your own.  

Independent morning activities depending on your departure time from Edinburgh Airport (EDI). Your hotel can arrange for airport transfers upon request or use your Uber app to call a cab from the taxi stand 100 meters from the hotel.